50 most important goals

Share via

These aren’t the best goals ever scored. Far from it. Our list contains a good sprinkling of toe-pokes, deflections and clownish mis-kicks. One of them was scored by a third division goalkeeper.

But despite their respective artistic merits, they all command a place in the annals of the game. They might have decided World Cup finals, settled championships or saved sides from relegation. Some of the goals stand out as statistical milestones. Others have entered the game’s mythology to become shared treasures, revered by fans of every club. Others set records that will never be broken.